Costa Rica's first Chinese Food Festival held amid rain over the weekend here drew wide attention.

The event was aimed at bringing the Chinese and Costa Rican communities together "in the same way that friends tend to get together," La Nacion daily quoted President of Costa Rica's Chinese Residents Association Isabel Yung as saying.

During the festival, traditional food favorites such as fried rice, chop suey and a wide variety of dumplings were on offer.

"Chinese food is part of the Costa Rican diet, so today we want to provide a more varied selection," Yung said, adding that they wanted people to get a taste of the Chinese culture with joy.

Participants also got a chance to see the traditional Chinese dragon dance and learn about calligraphy and martial arts.

Chinese Ambassador to Costa Rica Song Yanbin said he hoped the festival would become an annual event that can help revitalize China Town, which is a bridge between Chinese and Costa Rican people.

Mayor Johnny Araya agreed, saying: "We are working to establish a permanent culinary corridor here that will serve to attract tourism and support local businesses." Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)